Infection remains the principal cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer who experience febrile neutropenia. The introduction and use of empirical antibacterial therapy has cut the mortality rate associated with infections in this patient population down from about 80 to 5% over the last 30 years. More recent developments in the understanding of febrile neutropenia were discussed at the 37th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy [Toronto, Canada; September 1997]. The recognition that not all patients with cancer are at the same level of risk for developing severe infectious complications during neutropenia now means that it may be time to redefine the treatment options available. Outpatient antibacterial therapy (OPAT) may now be possible for some patients with febrile neutropenia, leading to improvements in the patient's quality of life and significant cost savings.